Morton’s Neuroma

On our website, Comstockpt.com and MusclesInSync.com, you’ll notice a tab which is called Muscles InSync (TM). It describes muscles getting out of sync with injury, and how we look to get the timing and coordination of the muscles working well again to get you better. How does this idea relate to Morton’s Neuroma? And….how can it help you if you have Morton’s neuroma?

First, what is Morton’s Neuroma? It is tangle of nerves which bunch up between the bones on the bottom of the ball of the foot. It causes a lot of pain when you walk and put pressure on the ball of the foot when you walk. It is a lot worse when you wear high heel shoes or heeled boots.

What Muscles get Out of Sync causing Morton’s Neuroma? The foot, when you put weight on it spreads the weight in the “foot tripod” position. Here is the foot tripod:

If your foot puts pressure down on the ball of the second toe, instead of the first toe, you end of lifting the outer toes too early, and the weight of your body can spin on the ball of the second toe. Below is a video from The Gait Guys which demonstrates the foot tripod

Which muscles are out of sync if you have a poor foot tripod? In the foot, the adductor halluces muscle, transverse portion (runs under the ball of the foot) supports the piece of the tripod which runs from the big toe to the little toe.

The Gait Guys are of the opinion that the extensor halluces brevis also plays a role in tripod support:

Try these two exercises slowly for 2 weeks and see if you can achieve a good tripod!